ATLANTIC CITY, N.J. (AP) -- Gov. Jon Corzine said Tuesday he will sign a bill that would keep Atlantic City's 11 casinos open in the event of a state government shutdown by letting them regulate themselves during the budget crisis.

Corzine's comments at the East Coast Gaming Congress marked the first time he committed himself to signing a specific anti-shutdown bill.

The 2006 state government shutdown, when the governor and state legislators could not agree on a budget, caused the casinos to shut down for three days because state casino inspectors were not able to be paid, and thus not able to work.

Since then, the industry has tried several ways to prevent a recurrence.

"I am not appreciative of shutdowns," he told the audience of casino executives and related employees. "I know you are not either. We will work hard legislatively to correct that."

After his speech, Corzine said he supports a bill being pushed by a state Sen. James Whelan, who is a former Atlantic City mayor. It would empower the casinos to police themselves in the absence of state inspectors during a budget crisis.

As tempting as that might sound for casinos to cut corners -- or worse -- while state inspectors are not on the job, the law would enable the governor to shut down a casino for serious wrongdoing.

The governor could also unilaterally suspend the license of a casino, or any casino employee who he determines has committed "a serious violation" of state gambling laws.

The suspension would remain in effect until the governor cancels it, or until the government shutdown ends, and the state Casino Control Commission could convene to deal with it.

It also would increase by tenfold the fines for casinos or casino workers found to have committed lesser wrongdoing during a shutdown.

Whelan's bill is awaiting action by the Assembly Appropriations Committee and the Senate Budget and Appropriations Committee. Corzine said he will sign it if it gets to his desk.

"This is what we've been waiting for ever since it happened," said Larry Mullin, president of the Borgata Hotel Casino & Spa. "We're glad to see he understands the economic viability of our industry and what it means to our state."

The casinos estimate they lost about $55 million during the 2006 shutdown. The state lost out on $3 million in tax revenues and casino workers lost $10 million in salaries and tips.

Whelan's bill cleared a Senate committee on Monday, and will now be considered by the Senate Budget and Appropriations Committee.